HC Deb 31 January 1972 vol 830 cc3-4
3. Mr. Kinnock

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for the expansion of facilities for comprehensive secondary education in the part of Monmouthshire comprising the Bedwellty Constituency in the period 1972 to 1974

Mr. Peter Thomas

This is primarily a matter for the Monmouthshire Local Education Authority. Apart from the Bedwas area the Authority has no plans for reorganising secondary education in the Bedwellty constituency by 1974.

Mr. Kinnock

While thanking the Secretary of State for that answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that Risca is part of the Bedwellty constituency and that the local education authority is not altogether happy with the insistence by his Department on an alternative site for the Risca comprehensive school? In view of that, will he give a firmer answer today than he gave me on 17th January when he said that the school was included in the 1972–73 building programme and tell me now that he guarantees that the school will be started in Risca by the end of the financial year 1972–73 so that the fears in my constituency can be put at rest?

Mr. Thomas

I am afraid that I am not in a position to give a firm answer today. I will look into this and write to the hon. Gentleman giving as detailed an answer as I can.